Podcasting: What it is and what it can do for you
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It sounds like something that only techie geeks could be interested in. But actually, podcasting is a fun, simple way of communicating information. This new medium holds lots of potential for a wide variety of audiences and purposes, making it well worth exploring. What Is Podcasting? development. Winer wrote the RSS 2.0 specification, which is used to deliver information about podcasts. RSS (Really Podcasting is the latest in on-the-go, on-demand technology. Simple Syndication) is an XML format that is used to define Basically, a podcast is a digital recording of audio or web/visual channels of information that contain elements, which content (like a web conference, radio program or music), are typically stories or Web log entries. RSS 2.0 supports made available on the enclosures, and podcasts are simply the application of RSS Internet for downloading Podcast Facts enclosures to audio files. to a personal computer • 22 million American adults or MP3 player. The concept of podcasting began as early as 2000, and its own an MP3 or iPod technical components were available by 2001. In 2003, • More than 6 million of these regular podcasts started showing up on well-known Web sites, A lot like radio on owners currently listen to demand, podcasting and software support spread. In 2005, the editors of the New podcasts Oxford American Dictionary declared “podcasting” the word actually offers far • The podcast audience is of the year. more options in estimated to reach 56 million terms of content and by 2010 programming than radio • The number of podcast feeds Like the blogging phenomenon, podcasting came out of does. And best of all, has increased 25 fold over nowhere and attracted an enthusiastic following. Podcasting’s with podcasting, you can since July 2006 initial appeal was to allow individuals to distribute their own download whatever • ABC, NBC, ESPN, Disney “radio shows,” but the system quickly became used in a wide programming you and NPR all have introduced variety of other ways, including distributing school lessons, podcast programs want and listen to museum tours, meeting updates and public safety alerts. The it whenever and rapid adoption of MP3 players and the desire of owners to have fresh content have also helped increase the popularity wherever you want. This anywhere, anytime freedom is the main attraction of of podcasting. podcasting. It is clear that the technology provides significant opportunity The term “podcast” is a blend of two words: iPod (an Apple and potential. Podcasting is definitely more than a passing MP3 player) and broadcast. But it’s important to note that fad. podcasting is not just for iPods — any computer software that supports MP3 and MP4 (like Windows Media Player How Podcasting Works and QuickTime) and any portable device that supports media download and playback (an MP3 player, PDA or cell phone) Think of it as subscribing to a magazine. can be used to watch and listen to podcasts. Podcasting uses a standard RSS feed reader or news aggregator A little podcasting history — the only difference is that the feed you subscribe to contains a link to an audio or video file. Instead of reading Media entrepreneur and former MTV VJ Adam Curry content in your RSS feed reader or aggregator, you listen to it. popularized the term podcasting. Curry created an AppleScript application that automated the process of downloading and Once the audio or visual files are produced, they are published syncing audio files to iPods. online and indexed for subscription and reception by an RSS reader. Podcasts can be displayed on websites with clickable Curry’s application expanded on the work of programmer links to audio files. Subscribers then download the files to Dave Winer, a pioneer in the world of Web logs and XML iPods, cell phones, iTunes directories, computers or other locations to listen to whenever they want.
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What You Need to Receive Podcasts • Commentaries • Story telling Basically, you’ll need broadband Internet access and some way • Direction to play audio and visual files. • Recipes CommonWHITE programs PAPER used to play podcasts • How-to instructions include iTunes, Windows Media Player, Ravings of a Podcast • Self-guided walking tours WinAmp, RealPlayer and QuickTime Enthusiast Player. Many of these programs come • Hiking trail guides bundled with operating systems or can be Lisa Breytspraak, an IT strategy • Speeches, sermons or debates downloaded for free. consultant, just discovered podcasting and has become a huge fan of the technology. She bought Go Ahead — Listen to a Podcast Why Viewers Podcast an iPod to download music for running and soon discovered that As a viewer or listener, you’ll experience podcasting offers much more than If you’ve never listened to podcasts, you’re in several benefits to podcasting. music. Lisa found that podcasting is for a treat. Podcasting gives you incredible a great way to get caught up on choice, along with the freedom to listen Content Control: With podcasting, you news, technology trends, whenever and wherever you want. In a few have control over when and where you hear entertainment, political issues and easy steps, you can start listening to podcasts. your favorite programming. other topics that interest her. Now, she subscribes to 30 different 1. Get the application. Simply download Easy Subscription: Simply copy the feed podcasts. and install a news aggregator, RSS reader URL into iTunes or click “subscribe” on the or podcasting software onto your computer. “I’m so excited about podcasting, news aggregator. Although applications vary, each should because I’ve been hard on myself my provide instructions on how to add podcast whole career about staying on top of feeds to your list. Program Choice: Sports, comedy, movies, the news — and this is an easy way food, politics, music, books, speeches, for me to stay up to date and keep 2. Find a podcast. You can search for walking tours, whatever — you name the learning,” Lisa says. “I listen to content using an online podcast directory. topic and you’ll find podcasts about it. podcasts everywhere — grocery Just like conducting a Web search, you shopping, driving, having my nails can find podcasts by searching by topic, Look and You Will Find done and even while I’m hitting golf author, subject or any other keyword. Some balls. I feel so much more directories allow you to listen online and productive now.” You can find thousands and thousands of initially become familiar with the content podcasts. Whatever you like, whatever Lisa is convinced that everyone before deciding to subscribe. you’re interested in, whatever you need to should try podcasting. 3. Listen. Once you’ve found something know — there’s a podcast out there for you. that looks interesting, listen to it! Just click A few of the many topics include: “There’s a podcast out there for the “Listen” button to hear it on the Web. everyone. I can’t think of any • Talk shows professional who couldn’t find topics 4. Subscribe. If you like what you hear, subscribe. But don’t panic — it’s almost • Interviews relevant to them to help them grow and learn,” she says. “Best of all, it’s always free. When you subscribe to a • Audio books totally free. You’re not paying for any podcast, you’ll get the newest installments • Sportscasts of these downloads or subscriptions.” delivered to you as soon as they’re available. And if you have an MP3 player, the next time • Entertainment you sync your device, your podcasts will be
• Yoga, meditation, visualization, or self-hypnosis instructions downloaded for listening on the go. • Language lessons, tutorials or other educational materials 5. Download. If you just want a copy of a particular • Industry or organizational news, investor news, news podcast, you don’t have to subscribe. You can just click the coverage and commentaries “Download” button to save it to your hard disk. Then, manage it and play it like you would any other audio file. • Music, including band promotional clips and interviews
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This Could Be the Start of Something Big
Once you feel comfortable listening to podcasts, you might start thinking about how you can make podcasts of your own — and you might start discovering what a great tool podcasts can be for your organization.WHITE PAPER
Podcasting Resources
• Podcasting Tools - http://www.podcasting-tools.com • Podcast Alley - http://www.podcastalley.com • PodcastBunker - http://www.podcastbunker.com • Podcasting News - http://www.podcastingnews.com • Podcasting Information - http://www.all-podcast-secrets. com and http://www.podcast411.com • Beginner’s Guide - http://www.mypods.net • Podcast Industry Trade Site - http://podall.blogspot.com • Listener Downloads – http://www.podcastmania.com • Resources and Software - http://www.freshpodcasts. com/podcast-resources-tools-software.html • Tutorial – http://www.feedforall.com
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About ReadyTalk ReadyTalk is committed to helping customers conduct successful audio and web conferences of all sizes – from small, ad hoc meetings to large, formal events. Visit www.readytalk.com to learn more about our full range of technology and services including: Audio Conferencing / Web Conferencing / Event Services / Recordings and Podcasts
www.readytalk.com | 303.209.1600 | 800.843.9166 | [email protected] | 1598 Wynkoop Denver, CO 80202